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eniatea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
donaldleitch's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This historical novel pulls the reader into an overcrowded maternity room of a Dublin hospital at the height of the Spanish flu epidemic. The First World War is still in progress, maiming those involved both physically and mentally. The novel also touches on the Irish uprisings of the period and the influence of the Catholic Church in the day to day lives of many. With these themes, it is hard to say that I enjoyed the novel, however I found the novel both enlightening and inspiring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage
rosalind's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Gore
Moderate: Grief
markedwithanm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
amandamagdic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This historical fiction was a nice break from my typical WWII reads. It's set during the first world war and amidst the spanish flu pandemic, in an Ireland that is under unrest as they also fight for their independence from Britain.
We are brought into 3 days in the life of nurse Julia Power as she works long tireless shifts at her hospitals maternity fever ward caring for pregnant patients with the flu or "grippe" as it was colloquially called. Working understaffed in a small cramped room built for 2 two patients Julia is taking care of 3. When young Bridie arrives as a volunteer from the local nunnery to assist, Julia is grateful for the chipper, eager to learn girl who works without complaint. Together the two try and save the lives of the mothers and soon to be babies in their care. As readers we are brought on an emotional roller coaster of loss and survival as they do their best in cramped quarters with limited supplies and help as doctors are also scarce do to the war and illness.
It was interesting to see the different medical techniques and medicinal cures that were used 100 years ago and how much they differ from what is done today. For example the common practice of frequent doses of hot whiskey as a means to keep down a fever even in expectant mothers. Or cutting women's pubic bones in half to allow for easier delivery, leaving them with life long complications.
The book definitely has trigger warnings for all types of graphic descriptions of many kinds of pregnancy / birth complications and trauma. But in true Donoghue fashion there is also a light in the darkness in the relationship and bond between Julia and Bridie. And the unrelenting optimism and work ethic of Dr. Kathleen Turner who is based on the actual real life physician. Over all a slightly tough read but a good one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
theheirlooms's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Death
unphilosophize's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I Cannot currently express to you how much I loved this book.
It is tragic and emotional.
I really enjoyed all the obstetrics in the book, especially as my mum was a nurse in the nicu
Great characters
I’ll think about this book a lot
It is tragic and emotional.
I really enjoyed all the obstetrics in the book, especially as my mum was a nurse in the nicu
Great characters
I’ll think about this book a lot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, Homophobia, and Gore
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
caspian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hoooooooly SHITTTTTt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Death
veeronald's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Medical content, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Toxic relationship and Suicide
emilyeehaw's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
this book was such an interesting read! we follow julia, a nurse in a maternity/fever ward, trying to help expectant mothers who also have the flu. reading about a flu epidemic while being in a pandemic was definitely a journey. there were several moments where i had to pause and just marvel at how history repeats itself, the understaffed hospital, how quickly people get sick, the fear of people just trying to live their lives, the government incompetence, all of it.
i loved our main character, julia, she was competent and compassionate and was just doing her best. i loved the moments when she realized how fucked up some aspects of her society and her job were and bent the rules to do the most good.
the descriptions of giving birth and carrying a baby....OOF made me want to never have children. the author clearly did research into the practices of 1918 and maternal health because there were moments when i wondered "how could someone possibly know all of this?" it felt so real and well-described as if the author herself was somehow a time traveling nurse from this period of history.
tw: discussions of miscarriage, stillbirth, maternal death, child abuse, domestic violence, a pandemic, war, graphic descriptions of child birth, medical procedures
i loved our main character, julia, she was competent and compassionate and was just doing her best. i loved the moments when she realized how fucked up some aspects of her society and her job were and bent the rules to do the most good.
the descriptions of giving birth and carrying a baby....OOF made me want to never have children. the author clearly did research into the practices of 1918 and maternal health because there were moments when i wondered "how could someone possibly know all of this?" it felt so real and well-described as if the author herself was somehow a time traveling nurse from this period of history.
tw: discussions of miscarriage, stillbirth, maternal death, child abuse, domestic violence, a pandemic, war, graphic descriptions of child birth, medical procedures
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical content, and Miscarriage